The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-05-05
RALEIGH, N. O., MAY 8, 1887.

offer premiums as follows: l. For
the largest crop of seed cotton raised
from l acre. g. For the largest crop
of corn from l acre. 3. For the best
crop of sweet potatoes from IA of an
acre. 4. For the best garden, exam
ined in August. 5. For the heaviest
hog of any age 6. For the heaviest
pig over months old and under II.
7. For the farm in the best general
condition.
Considerable interest was taken, and
a good prospect of lively competition
to secure one or the other of the pre-
miums.
The time for questions having come,
J. H. Forbes asked: "What is the
best mode Of preparation and time for
planting corn on bottom land ?"
J. B. Covington said as to planting;
the sooner the better, if it is warm
enough if put off too late, the bud
worm kills it. r. T. Steele thought
thorough preparation most important,
and should plant last Of March or
first Of April, or defer till May J.
Chappell adopts the rule Of Jim Green,
Of Montgomery "Plant Goth March,
whether it is wet or dry, unless it falls
on Sunday, or as soon after as pos
sible." j. A. Ingram Early plant
ing best prepares land in single beds,
runs scooter in water burrows and
then runs two furrows round it with
scooter. Other members agreed
Question:" What is the best way
Of preparing upland for corn and time
of planting p J. Chappell replied !:
Break thoroughly with scooter and
plant on level last of March.
Our prospect for corn crop is better
than for several years, much more
pains having been taken in prepara-
ton and great deal more planted So
far, the stand is not very good dry
weather the cause, possibly. More
grass has been sown this spring.
Wheat looks very promising, but fall
oats are pretty badly killed out and
what are left don't look we'll, owing to
bad stand and dry weather. Spring
oats look promising. There has been
a great effort both last fall and this
spring to make small grain, in conse-
quence of the very short crop of corn
last year.
Our new club house and store is
completed, and the members took pos
session of their new quarters with
great satisfaction. We are supplying
about 60 of the members, which is
very large increase over last years
trading
There is a general feeling that the
good done by the club does not stop
with it's members, but is felt by the
whole of the upper end Of the county.
The use of commercial fertilizers is
thought to be smaller this year than
in the past, and we hope this is sign
that farmers are not depending entire
ly on guano, but are seeing that all the
manure at home is saved. One of our
members has hauled out $50 two-horse
loads, instead of paying 5000 for
guano.
The meeting then took up the ques-
ton Shall the club be eincorporated?"
This was discussed quite freely. Much
time was taken with it, as it's import
ance required thorough ventilation.
The question was then put, and it was
decided unanimously to incorporate the
club
This letter is already too long, SO I
must defer, till our next, few of the
reasons causing this decision.
Subject for next meeting; Chow
shall we poor farmers get back into
old-time ways. of raising our bread and
meat at home ?"
With good wishes to yourself, and
prosperity to the FARMER in its new
quarters, [ am,
Yours truly,
JOSEPH l.. GALLOWAY, Sec'y.
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